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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-06-04 CorrespondenceMARK & RONDA LIPSILLS 1820 DUBUQUE ROAD N.E. IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240 MAY 21,1998 RECEIVED PlAY 2 '3 TO: IOWA CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS RE: REFUSE/RECYCLING ON FOUR PLEXES WE HAVE OWNED TWO ADJOINING PROPERTIES ON EAST BLOOMINGTON STREET (206-212) FOR THE LAST 16 YEARS. 206 IS A FOUR UNIT BUILDING AND 212 IS A FIVE UNIT BUILDING. WE RECENTLY RECEIVED A LE3-1'ER FROM THE CITY STATING THAT FOUR PLEXES ARE TO USE CITY SERVICES FOR REFUSE AND RECYCLING, WHILE FIVE PLEXES MUST USE PRIVATE COLLECTION. WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD A DUMPSTER IN THE REAR OF THESE BUILDINGS AND HAVE NEVER USED THE CITY SERVICE FOR REFUSE OR PAID FOR IT. THESE BUILDINGS SHARE THE SAME PARKING LOT IN THE REAR AS WELL AS THE SAME FRONT DRIVEWAY. THEY HAVE BEEN OPERATED AS ONE COMPLEX FOR OVER .50 YEARS. NOW THE CITY IS TELLING US WE HAVE TO USE CITY REFUSE ON 206 AT A COST OF ~8.20 PER MONTH, AND MUST USE PRIVATE COLLECTION ON 212 AT A COST OF $70.00 PER MONTH. THiS MAKES NO SENSEI POLICIES LIKE THIS DRIVE RENT COSTS UPI CITY REFUSE COLLECTION IS NOT FEASIBLE FOR 206 EAST BLOOMINGTON STREET: CANS AND BAGS OF TRASH FOR 4 APTS. (8 PEOPLE) ARE NOT EASY TO STORE UNTIL THE PICKUP DAY (ONLY ONCE PER WEEK). GARBAGE STORED IN APTS. AND AROUND THE BUILDING IS UNSIGHTLY, A'I-rRACTS BUGS AND RODENTS, SMELLS, CAN BE A FIRE HAZARD, AND IT LOOKS BAD- I'M SURE THE CITY HOUSING INSPECTION SERVICES WOULD AGREE. IT WOULD BE HARD TO MOVE 10-15 BAGS OR CANS OF GARBAGE TO THE CURB ON PICKUP DAY AND EVEN HARDER FOR THE COLLECTION CREWS TO WORK AROUND THE CARS-.(BLOOMINGTON HAS PARKING ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE STREET ONLY). THE WAY STUDENTS LIVE, IT IS MUCH SAFER AND CONVENIENT TO DISPOSE OF GARBAGE AS NEEDED IN A DUMPSTER THAT IS EMPTIED TWICE PER WEEK. AS FAR AS RECYCLING GOES, I'M NOT CONVINCED THAT THERE IS A DEMAND FOR THIS PROGRAM IN THE STUDENT POPULATION. THE FEW THAT DO RECYCLE NOW USE CITY CARTON, BASED ON THE ABOVE, I HOPE I HAVE SHOWN YOU THAT OUR DECISION TO CONTINUE USING A PRIVATE COMPANY FOR REFUSE MAKES THE MOST SENSE. WHAT I DO NOT WANT TO DO IS PAY THE $46.20 PER MONTH FOR THE CITY SERVICES WE DO NOT USE. WHAT I AM ASKING THE CITY TO DO IS REMOVE THE CHARGE OF $46.20 THAT STARTED TO SHOW UP ON MY MAY 1996 BILL. AS THE COUNCIL IS ALL FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, PLEASE DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND BE SUPPORTIVE OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS BEING FORCED TO PAY FOR THIS SERVICE THEY DO NOT USE. AFTER ALL, IT IS THE TENANTS OF IOWA CITY THAT END UP PAYING. 14-6T-5 14-6T.5 ance with the provisions of this Chap. ter. If two (2) or more abutting lots or portions thereof become In single ownership, the land involved shall he deemed a single parcel for the pur- poses of this C~apter, and no portion of said parcel shall be sold or used in a manner which diminishes compli- ance with lot frontage, width and area requirements. In cases where a lot of record has become in single ownership and is deemed a single parcel as set forth in subsection C of this Section, the Board of Adjustment may grant a special exception to permit a single-family dwelling and accessory buildings to be installed on the lot of record, notwithstanding a failure to meet the requirements of the zone for lot area, provided the granting of the specific requested exception results in appropriate, cog3patiblo development with surrounding residential develop- ment and meets all of the require. ments of this Chapter, including set- back and frontage requirements. (1978 Code §36-82) ..T T Iowa April 8, 1996 '~ IRE":',"",':." ~A¥ 2 8 lgg6 :oos 30.,,, 3..4 Mayor Naomi Novick Iowa City City Council 410 E Washington St IOWA CITY 52240 IA Dear Mayor Novick: We are writing to express our concerns relating to the development of an arterial road system and installation of a traffic light at the junction of Dubuque Road and Highway 1 in nodheast Iowa City. My wife and I live on Highway 1, within a half block of this intersection. My son and family live next door. Traffic on Highway 1 is heavy, padicularly during early morning and late afternoon when employees are coming to or from work at the ACT and NCS. Believe me, it is also very fast and our petitions to have the speed limit reduced have been ignored. It is, therefore, not surprising that at times we find it quite dangerous to make exits and entrances to our property. We have been "rear-ended" on a number of occasions and sincerely hope that chances for further accidents can be reduced. That in a nutshell is the purpose of this letter. The placement of a traffic signal at the junction of Dubuque Road with Highway 1 will slow the traffic, but when vehicles proceeding west to Iowa City are backed up, we will find it very difficult to exit and make a left turn to Iowa City. We have also learned that turning lanes may be constructed at the intersection and should the road be widened it is likely to encroach on our entrance and increase the grade on an already steep descent from our house. In other words, our problems could get worse. These are our concerns and they have to do with our safety. We had previously written to Major Horowitz about this matter, and she came here to see for herself. Should our fears become a reality, we are seeing an assurance that the City will provide us with an alternative safe access to our property which is mutually acceptable. We have lived at this location for 30 years. Together with my neighbor, Charles Eble, we have preserved 12 acres of natural habitat. We hope we can continue to live here and that current development plans do not have an adverse impact on this very fragile environment. This same letter addressed to each Council Member. I ~ ~ April 8, 1996 Page 2 We would welcome the opportunity to show you the property and answer any questions you may have. Yours Sincerely, John Clancy Margaret C. Clancy James Clancy Joanna Clancy Phone: John Clancy 351-5906 James Clancy 354-7335 .... '. '"- MAY 2 !1 lgg GREGORY KOVACINY Advocacy Chair Bicyclists of Iowa City, Inc. (BIC) 521 Clark Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240-5617 voice: h.319-338-0655 w.319-356-5206 kovaciny@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu May 19, 1996 Mayor Naomi J. Novick and Members of the City Council City of Iowa City 410 East Washington Civic Center lowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Mayor Novick and Councilors, I am writing this letter on behalf of Bicyclists of Iowa City to offer our organization's support of the idea of designated on-street bicycle routes, as well as the currently approved map of designated routes which has been endorsed by RTBC, TTAC and JCCOG Urbanized Area Policy Board. BIC understands that individual communities must separately take action to implement signage. The basic framework is a good one, and is something that we hope JCCOG-RTBC will build from and reevaluate at least annually. BIC stresses that appropriate signage is key to the success of this plan. "Share The Road" signs used in numerous states such as Maryland, Oregon, North Carolina and Pennsylvania have been shown to work well as both route indicators and educational/informational opportunities. Their use has often improved relations between these two transportation modes--motor vehicles and bicycles. BIC feels that a "Share the Road" sign that is the same throughout participating Johnson County communities and pictures BOTH a motor vehicle and a bicycle can be most effective. It is a reminder that BOTH vehicle types are valid users of that signed roadway, {and of all roadways) yet it doesn't single out one or the other-- it speaks to *both* vehicle-type operators in a neutral, equitable manner. I've included some examples published in Bicycle Federation ProBike News and other sources which illustrate what ] mean). On behalf of Bicyclists of Iowa City, I urge the City Council to adopt the Iowa City portions of the JCCOG/RTBC designated bicycle route plan, and include "Share the Road" signs as roadway indicators of this designation, and, as possible, encourage other JCCOG communities to follow your lead. Yours truly, ~, Bicyclists of Iowa City, Inc. (BIC) Todd Black, BIC President Jeff Davidson John Yapp file: ieec5196.let CONCEPT, E ROAD|I #2 /I~ROADWAY I! #4 #1 #3 #6 #7 Pro Bike News Ma~'ch 1996 SOUTHERN BICY(~L£ ~.EAGUE · Atlanta/Roswell, GA · 594-8350 16 May 1996 Mayor Naomi Novick Civic Center 410 E. Washington Street lows City, IA 52244 REC !IVED NAY 2 0 1§§6 Zion Lutheran Church 310 North Johnson Street Iowa City. Iowa 52245-2861 Office: {319) 338-0944 Roy C. Nilsen and Robert A. Hamel, Pastors Dear Mayor Novick: The editorial in the Press-Citizen a week or so ago regarding the trucks from the Iowa City Forestry Department parked at Oakland Cemetery caught my attention. I have been conducting burials in the cemetery for a number of years. On numerous occasions, the services were held at burial plots in proximity to the area where the Forestry tracks are parked. The trucks do not offer a very comforting environment in such circumstances. In fact, it is simply tacky. I can imagine how family and friends must feel at the time they visit a grave in the area and find themselves in the midst of the Forestry fleet. I would hope the City Council would find a way to move the Forestry Office from the cemetery to another location so the trucks could be removed from the cemetery premises. While this may not be a "high priority" item on the council's agenda, I believe the Council ought to search for a way to accomplish this and thus restore the aesthetic and natural environment of the cemetery for the sake of the community and especially the family and friends of those buried there. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Rev. Roy C. Nilsen Administrative Pastor I7o¢ May 29,1996 To the Iowa City Council: Wasn't it refreshing and pleasant to drive into Oakland Cemetery over Memorial Day and not see brightly painted City Forestry trucks parked along the roadway. I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to the City Administration for removing them on this special holiday. It appears the City found somewhere, other than the cemetery, to park the vehicles over Memorial Day weekend. I searched for, and found what I believe to be Forestry vehicles parked, hidden from view, ,behind the maintenance building at City Park. It was very disappointing to find the vehicles once again parked in the cemetery on Tuesday evening. This action by the City brings up several questions: Why is it possible to remove the vehicles on Memorial Day weekend, but not on other days or weekends? Does it mean the City is playing, "keep down the complaint game", by removing the vehicle on weekends, when large numbers of people are expected? Is the City acknowledging it's not proper to park these vehicles in the cemetery? Does this indicated there are other acceptable locations for housing this equipment, but it's just more convenient to keep it at the cemetery? If other businesses in the city can operate using satellite operations, why can't the Forestry Department do the same? I have been told space will be provided for the Forestry Department and vehicles on a permanent basis when the Central Maintenance Facility for the Parks and Recreation Division is built. This facility is scheduled for construction in the Seven Year Capitol Improvement Proore'am during FY98. Under this plan, and without future changes, it would likely be sometime in 1999 before the facility would be completed. To continue desecrating this cemetery for almost three more years is not acceptable. Since the City finds it handy to park these vehicles behind the park maintenance building when it's for their convenience on a holiday, then it should stand to reason the vehicles could be parked there daily during the interim period before the Central Maintenance Facility is finished. Employee, "down time", could be controlled using a satellite operation. I have been told the issue of moving the Forestry Department and vehicles is money. Mainly, the lack thereof I see it differently. It seems to me, it is a},o issue of convenience and priorities. It's convenient for the City to continue parking the Forestry Department vehiele~at the cemetery and not at the City Park. And, something is definitely wrong with the priorities, when it is proposed to develop three (3) additional new parks during FY97 and still claim you have no funds available for removing the trucks from the cemetery. Shouldn't the priority be: to correct whatever deficiency you have, before building more? Richard Dolezal 351-4135 I 1ol Date: Thu, 30 May 96 14:55 CST From: AStroh@fpu-po.pas.uiowa.edu To: mkarr@blus.wssg.uiowa.edu Cc: stroh at i¢os-longfellow-po@mailshare.aea10.klt.ia.us Subject: ~om~snt rs: Library exl~ansion RECEIVED HAY 3 11§§6 Marian, I understand you will forward to ¢ouncil.o.Thanks To the City For what it's worth, I would like to cogent on this issue. My hope is that whatever improvements are made include provisions to make the facility more user-friendly to cars, specifically, & drive - in drop off box (llke we had at the old facility). I understand that as good liberals we don't want to endorse library visits made by automobile, but the present situation is a Joke! A drop-off Box.would ease the present congestion in the "illegal parking area". Thanks for your time. A1 Stroh allen-stroh@uiowa.edu Allen D. Stroh Planning & Administrative Services0 University of Iowa 416 North Hall 319-335-1247 FAX 319-335-1210 Quote of the Day: It may be that your whole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others. From: The Monday Forum To: Naom~ Novick, Mayor Larry Baker Karen Kubby ErnieLehman Dee Norton Dean Thornberry Dee Vanderhoef Letter copy to: Steve Arkins, City Manager Kafin Franklin, City Planner Marion Karr, City Clerk May 22, 1996 Dear Councilperson: The Monday Forum ]s a group of independent downtown Iowa City retail business owners investigating actions that will result in a healthy, vital downtown Iowa City environment. We formed after a meeting called by Kafin Franklin to address current problems and future planning for the downtown retail area. We have selected several areas for investigation: geography, security and enforcement, zoning, economic development, and promotion. The first area we decided to address involves the geography of downtown in relation to the interstate highways, the major access routes into our city and how a prospective retail consumer unfamiliar with our community would find the way to downtown. In other words, where are we and do we get them.'? The enclosed videos will take you on a search for downtown Iowa City. The point of view in that of a traveler on 1-80 or 380 who is at the crossroads of America or traveling on America's main street looking for a place to shop, eat, or spend the night. The first video is about 20 minutes long. The second will include a search for the downtown after parking a car and setting out on foot. That v~deo Is about 8 minutes long. What you will see defines that problem. We have several quite specific suggestions for the solution. We wdl bc asking for a partnership with the city at the informal, June 3, 1996 councd meeting where we will present our proposals. Please contact any member of our group with your comments and suggestions. S~nccmly, The Monday Forum Nancy Burhans, Gringo's Val Chitt~ck, Domby Jim Clayton, Soap Opera Tara Cronbaugh, Java House Victoria Gilpin, PrefecTed Stock Mark Ginsberg, M.C. Ginsberg Jewelers Jim Hams, Prairie Lights John Murphy, Bremers Clothing Mark Weaver, Active Endeavors PREVIOUSLY DISTRIBUTED May 16, 1996 CITY OF I0 W,4 CITY TO: RE: The Honorable Mayor and the City Council Civil Service Entrance Examination - I~AIN~ENANCE WORKER I - REFUS~ We, the undersigned members of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, do hereby certify the following named person(s) as eligible for the position of MWI - Refuse. Brian Tack Michael Fay Hired: 5/20/96 Hired: 5/30/96 IOWA CITY CIVIL SERVICE COHMISSION R"~c ae~l ~. K~~en dy, Chair ATTEST: , ' y Clerk 410 £AST WASHINGTON STR£ET · IOWA CITY. IOWA $2240-1826 · (319) 35§.5000 $ FAX (319) 35§.5009